FAMILY REMEMBERS GERALD WAYNE MILLER, MD, WITH A GIFT TO CONTINUE HIS LEGACY

By James PonderThe family of Gerald Wayne Miller, MD, a 1957 graduate of Loma Linda University School of Medicine, recently donated property in Dana Point, California, to the deferred mission appointee program at Dr. Miller's alma mater to honor his lifelong legacy of service to others.

According to Cynthia Miller-Dobalian, MD, the family learned about many of these generous deeds after Dr. Miller's passing in September 2012. "My father never told us these stories," she says.

Born June 24, 1926, on a farm in Nichols County, Nebraska, little Jerry moved to Colorado with his family during the height of the Great Depression, living first in Pueblo, then Colorado Springs, and finally Denver. His father drove a truck, while his mother worked at a small café.

Jerry took note of how hard his parents worked and decided, at a very young age, to become a physician so he could help people and be able to afford vacations for his family.

Jerry's 16th year was important for three big reasons. First, that was the year his family moved to Hastings, Nebraska, where his parents owned a cafeteria at the Naval Depot. Second, he met Betty Betts that year at a roller-skating rink. Shirley Stewart, Jerry's baby sister, describes Betty as "a cute little redhead" who made quite an impression on him: "Betty told me she went there with another boy," she shares, "but left with Jerry." Third, that was the year he learned to fly a plane.

The skill served a romantic purpose. In grand fashion, Jerry would "barnstorm" Betty's house before landing in a nearby field to pick her up for dates. Later in life, he got his commercial license and piloted a Learjet.

When he was 18, Jerry joined the Army Medical Corps, climbing the ranks to the position of Staff Sergeant. When World War II ended, he returned to Nebraska.

One fateful day as Jerry and older brother Elmer toiled in the hot sun, Jerry announced, "I'm not doing this the rest of my life! Let's go back to school."

With that, the boys packed their bags and set off for Union College in nearby Lincoln. On May 27, 1951, Jerry graduated with a BA degree in biology. Two years later, he called Betty Betts with an unusual request.

"I think he must have really liked her," sister Shirley speculates, "because he called her on the phone and said, ‘I got accepted to medical school in Loma Linda. Do you want to go along?'"

The unorthodox proposal struck a resonant cord with Betty. The couple married on August 20, 1953, and hit the road for Southern California shortly thereafter.

Gerald Wayne Miller, MD, at the time of his graduation from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1957

The next few years were busy ones for the newlyweds. In addition to Jerry's studies, the couple started a family. Cynthia was born in 1954; Cathy came along in 1956. In 1957, Jerry graduated from the College of Medical Evangelists, as Loma Linda University was known. Patty made her grand entrance in 1958, the same year Dr. Miller and Dr. James Jetton formalized their relationship into a professional partnership and lifelong friendship. In 1961, Baby Curt entered the world.

"The practice was busy," Dr. Miller-Dobalian remembers. "They were working long hours in the office, hospitals, nursing homes, and house calls day and night."

Even so, Dr. Miller always made time for family vacations. "He loved to fly," Dr. Miller-Dobalian says. "Our vacations were weekends in Palm Springs, flights to Canada, or all the way down to Cancun. Those are great memories!"

Dr. Miller was actively involved in Adventist church activities, serving as an elder of the local congregation, and member of the school board. As their practice boomed in the 1960s, Drs. Jetton and Miller erected a medical office in Bellflower. In the 1970s, they purchased Woodruff Community Hospital and constructed a medical building that stands to this day.

Although the colors have faded, this image of Jerry and Betty Miller with their four children reveals the warmth and affection the family has enjoyed since the 1960s, when it was taken. The children are, from left to right, Cathy, Curt, Patty, and Cynthia.

"Loma Linda University, which trains physicians with a special emphasis on mission work, had an impact on his life." Dr. Miller-Dobalian offers. "He was a medical director at Red Cross for many years. He flew into Mexico for 20 years to do charitable work, first with Liga International, the ‘Flying Doctors of Mercy,' and then as head of World Health Volunteers. One of his big mission trips was to aid victims of the 7.5-magnitude Guatemala earthquake in 1976."

Todd Mekelburg, director of planned giving for Loma Linda University Health, says the family's real estate gift will honor Dr. Miller's legacy by enabling young people of limited means to the ability obtain a quality education.

"Because of Dr Miller's strong belief in medical missionary work," Mr. Mekelburg observes, "the family requested that proceeds be used for the deferred mission appointee fund at the School of Medicine. The fund continues to grow because of gifts like these. Loma Linda University Health is equipped to receive gifts of real estate, and we're thankful the Miller family chose to provide so generously."

The last known photograph of Dr. Miller depicts him sitting in a wheelchair, grinning from ear to ear, clutching a garter. Patty McLennan, the third of the Miller kids, recalls the occasion.

"It was a wonderful day," she shares. "My middle son, Ryan McLennan"—a 2012 LLU School of Medicine graduate—"was married that day. It was time for the garter to be thrown. By accident, my son, the groom, way overshot all the young single men. In one accord, these young men turned around and began their mad dash toward the garter. Suddenly and in unison, they all came to a screeching halt. The garter had landed at the foot of this 86-year-old man in a wheelchair."

After retrieving his prize, Dr. Miller held it long enough for the photographer to record. "Then, with Betty, his bride, next to him," Ms. McLennan concludes, "he gladly surrendered his spoil for a do-over."

Like many other recollections of Dr. Miller's life, the memory of this event will linger for a long, long time. ____________

Readers interested in learning more about how gifts of real property benefit Loma Linda University Health are invited to contact Todd Mekelburg in the office of planned giving by phone at 909-558-4553 or online at www.llulegacy.org

eBrochure Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the brochure.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Checkpoint

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Loma Linda University Health a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Loma Linda University Health, a nonprofit corporation currently located at (LegalAddress), or its successor thereto, ______________* [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Loma Linda or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Loma Linda as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Loma Linda as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Loma Linda where you agree to make a gift to Loma Linda and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the materials for planning your estate.